CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) vs PPL Corporation (PPL)
PPL leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics, though CMS is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of CMS Energy Corporation and PPL Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 18, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — CMS vs PPL
growth of $100 · last 30yCMS +146.4%PPL +242.3%PPL compounded faster
CMS PPL
CMS vs PPL: by the numbers
- •PPL is the larger company ($26.58B vs $22.65B market cap).
- •CMS trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.08 vs 21.54 P/E).
- •PPL converts more revenue to profit (13.09% vs 12.55% net margin).
- •PPL grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.87% vs 5.66% CAGR).
- •PPL pays the higher dividend yield (3.16% vs 3.04%).
Which is better, CMS or PPL?
Metric tally: CMS 5 · PPL 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCMS(lower P/E)
GrowthPPL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePPL(higher dividend yield)
QualityPPL(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CMS | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.08● | 21.54 |
| Forward P/E | 17.56 | 16.68● |
| P/S ratio | 2.50● | 2.87 |
| P/B ratio | 2.33 | 1.78● |
| PEG ratio | 3.45 | 0.66● |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.64 | 12.00● |
Profitability
| Metric | CMS | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 64.61%● | 35.20% |
| Operating margin | 19.53% | 23.53%● |
| Net margin | 12.55% | 13.09%● |
| ROE | 11.69%● | 8.12% |
| ROIC | 3.67% | 4.07%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CMS | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.04% | 3.16%● |
| Payout ratio | 63.03% | 69.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CMS | PPL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.66% | 8.87%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.90%● | -3.48% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -16.59% | -4.92%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.52% | 8.10%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CMS or PPL?
- It depends on your goal. value: CMS (lower P/E); growth: PPL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PPL (higher dividend yield); quality: PPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PPL leads 11 to 5.
- Is CMS or PPL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CMS is cheaper: CMS trades at a 20.08 P/E and PPL at 21.54.
- Which has grown faster, CMS or PPL?
- Over the past five years, PPL grew revenue faster — CMS at a 5.66% CAGR versus PPL at 8.87%.
- Does CMS or PPL pay a bigger dividend?
- CMS yields 3.04% and PPL yields 3.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CMS or PPL more profitable?
- PPL runs the higher net margin — CMS at 12.55% versus PPL at 13.09%.
- Which has been the better investment, CMS or PPL?
- Over the past 10-year, CMS delivered the higher annualized total return — CMS at 8.44% versus PPL at 3.45%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CMS Energy P/E ratioPPL P/E ratioCMS Energy dividend yieldPPL dividend yieldCMS Energy ROEPPL ROECMS Energy operating marginPPL operating marginCMS Energy revenue growthPPL revenue growthCMS Energy free cash flowPPL free cash flow
CMS Energy & PPL appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 18, 2026.